Printing-telegraph



' (No Model.)

I E. .v. BAILLARD.

' V PRINTING IELBGRAPH. 9 No. 498,529. 7 PatentedMay 30, 1893.

J I 16 en I T" WITNESSES: H

UNr'rnn 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'EDlVARD V. BAILLARD, OF NEW UlRECHT, NEW YORK.

PRINTING-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,529, dated May 30, 1893.

Application filed February 4, 1893. Serial No. 461,016. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDW'ARD V. BAILLARD, a citizen of the United States, residingin the town of New Utrecht, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Printing- Telegraphs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in printing telegraphs, and embodies the use of a rotating type-wheel, moving step-by-step under the control of an escapement device, and an electro-magnet located in the main line,- an impression device for printing under the control of an electro-magnet, also located in the main line, a vibrating circuit-breaker mechanically connected with or fixed to the ratchet lever forming part of the escapement device, a transmitter and a unison device.

The object of my invention is to provide a single-wire printing telegraph instrument, which can be employed for the exchange of commuications between any two separate-d points, and to do this without the use of local batteries or local circuits. I provide a rotating motor-driven shaft, and upon this shaft I fix a type-wheel bearing upon its periphery the letters of the alphabet and as many additional characters or signs, as may be required. Fixed to the same shaft is a toothed wheel having as many teeth as there are characters upon the type-wheel. Taking into the teeth of this ratchet wheel there is a pivoted two'- armed lever which I call a ratchet, and the two prongs or projections of this lever are so arranged with respect to each other that one movement of the ratchet allows the wheel to escape the space of one-half tooth, and a complete excursion to and fro allows the wheel to escape the complete space separating one tooth from another, so that the type-wheel is moved forward from one letter to another by a complete to and fro motion of .this ratchet. Fixed to one end of this ratchet lever is a vibrating circuit-breaker, the points of which are included in the single main line. The type-wheel magnet for controlling the move-- ment of the ratchet lever has its armature fixed to the ratchet and there is some suitable retractor, such as a spring or weight, or permanent magnet, exerting a constant tendency to retract the armature from the magnet.

that when the armature is attracted the cir- The vibrating circuit-breaker is so arranged with respect to the armature of the magnet cuit-breaker is operated to break the circuit, and when the armature is retracted the circuit-br'eakcr is operated to close the circuit. In operative connection with the type-wheel, I arrange the pivoted lever carrying a press pad for taking an impression from the typewheel, and any well known device for moving a strip of paper a suitable space for each impression taken from the type-wheel; the pivoted lever referred to, is under control of a sluggish electro-magnet; that is, it responds to a current impulse somewhat slower than the type-wheelmagnet first described, so that a current impulse of a duration to which the type-wheel magnet would readily respond will have no appreciable effect upon the second electro-magnet for operating the press pad; but if this impulse be prolonged, this magnet will promptly and vigorously respond. At some point on the rotating shaft I fix a projecting radial arm and vI arrange a unison arm in a movable position with respect to the path of the radial arm. This constitutes the unison device and it may be of any of the well known forms operating in substantially the manner described. The unison apparatus is disengaged by a predetermined current impulse. I prefer toconstruct each instrument as a compoundtransmittingand receiving instrumenu'andffor this purpose I arrange a series of insulated contacts in the'circumference of a circle withrespect to the type-wheel shaft, and on. the-type-Wheel shaft I fix a radial arm having a trailing "spriiigmg moving over the insulated'contacts succes- 9o sively. Each of these insulated contactsis separately connected with a transmitting key, of which there is a series, one for each letter of the typewheel. The trailing arm is electrically connected with the main line upon one side of the vibrating circuit-breaker, and the down contacts of the keys have a common normally-open electrical connection to a point in the main line upon the opposite side of the circuit breaker. When one of these keys 100 is depressed the vibrating circuit-breaker is cut out of the circuit, the existing current impulse is prolonged, and the press magnet is operated. When the instrument is used as a receiving instrument, the transmitting device is cut out of the circuit by means of a two-point switch, connected to the main line on opposite sides of the vibrating circuitbreaker. 'I employ but one generator of electricity which may be located at anyone point on the line, or may be divided as the length of the line and its condition as regards insulation may determine to be most desirable.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the elemental parts of my printing telegraph instrument, arranged in proper operative relation. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the arrangement of circuits and instruments, one being in the act of transmitting and the other in the act of receiving.

S is a rotating shaft driven by a train of gearing G under the influence of the weight to; fixed to this shaft is the type-wheel T. Fixed to the same shaft is theratchet wheel 4. A ratchet-lever 5 is pivoted at the point 16 to oscillate freely, and at its upper end there are two prongs 7 and 8, shaped substantially as shown, 7 being slightly in advance of 8 in the direction of rotation, and about the'distance of one-half the space separating two successive teeth of the wheel. As shown in the drawings, 7 is in engagement with a tooth of the wheel 4:. Upon disengaging 7 from 4 the wheel will advance one-half tooth, and be held by 8. Swill then releasethe wheel, which upon moving one-half tooth or space will be caught and held by 7 again.

M is an electro-magnet, its armature 6 being fixed to the pivoted lever 5.

R is a retracting spring operating in a contrary direction to the pull of magnet M.

Mechanically fixed to lever 5 at a point onthe opposite side of pivot 16 with respect to the armature 6, is a contact point 11, work.-

i'ng-i'n connection with a fixed and adjustable contact point 10; thetwo points ll'and 10 constituting the vibrating circuit-breaker B. p is a press pad lever pivoted at the point 2 carrying the press pad dand the paper feed device f. I

P is apress-magnet havlng an armature 3 fixed to thelever p. This magnet P has long cores as compared with the magnet M, and is constructed and adjusted to operate more sluggishly; or, in other words, to cause the magnet P to respond, the current impulse must be prolonged.

sis a slip of paper. Which is fed along in a well known manner between the type-wheel and the press pad. I D

To provide a unison stop, I fix a radial pin or arm 71 to the type-wheel shaft, and there is a unison leverU pivoted at a suitable point under control of the spring 7 2, which is gr dually moved into position to engage with the pin 71, the specific device shown for this purpose being the helical groove known in mechanic's as a worm, which is located at on the typewheel shaft. A lever to is fixed to the press-pad lever in position to engage with the arm U, and when the said lever is operated by a predetermined current impulse, the arm U and the pin 71 are disengaged, the arm U assuming its normal position.

The transmitting part of the instrument consists of a radial arm 13, terminating in a trailing spring; this arm is fixed to the typewheel shaft S and may be insulated from it bya bushing i. The bushing, however, is not absolutely necessary. There is a series of insulated segments or contacts I located in a circle in the path of the free end of the arm 13. There is a series of keys K, one for each character on the type-wheel. The keys and insulated segments are electrically connected respectively by conductors 90, 91, 92, 93, &c. There is a common down contact for these keys electrically connected with the main line at a point upon one side of the vibrating circuit-breaker B, and the radial arm 13 is electrically connected through the brush 0 and wire 81 with a point in the main line upon the opposite side of the vibrating circuit breaker B.

H is the generatorof electricity, located in the main line at one station, let us assume, and the circuit of. the main line passes thence to the type-wheel magnet M, the vibrating circuit-breaker B, the press magnet P, and by return, for which purpose the earth is employed, to the other pole of the battery.

It is to be understood that any number of instruments may be included in the circuit and that a communication transmitted by any one of them may be received at each and all of the others; but the transmitting apparatus at each of the receiving stations must be short-circuited or cut out by moving the switch lever on to the point 101.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows, reference being bad to Fig. 2 of the drawings:Let us suppose that the station on the leftof the figure is transmitting to the station on the right. Starting from the earth E, the circuit passes through the press-magnet P, the points 10 and 11 on the vibrating circuit-breaker B, magnet M, battery H, line L to magnet M of the distant station, to the point 80, conductors 81, 82, switch 100, points 101, 103, to the press-magne'tP and the earth E. The circuit-breaker B is rapidly making and breaking the main circuit; each break allowing the type-wheel to move one-half space and each make completing the movement so that on each complete excursion of the vibrating circuit-breaker and the ratchet-lever 5 to ing from E via, P, 103, 10, 90, its insulated segment, arm 13, to point 83,-conductor 81, point 80, magnet M, and so on as before. The type-wheel magnet in each and every instrument attracts its armature 6 and holds the .wheel 4. The typewheel T is stopped with the letter immediately over the pad d, the current impulse is prolonged, the press magnet P in each and every instrument responds, and the character is printed. The transmitting operator only depresses the key kfor an interval snfficiently long, as determined by experience to produce this result; the key is then released and the rotation of all the typewheels then recommences, successive letters being printed by exactly the same operation. At suitable intervals a transmitter is allowed to operate, or rather, the vibrating circuitbreaker is allowed to operate, until all the type-wheels are caught and held by the unison arm U; an impulse is then sent through the printing magnet P when the levers u disengage the unison arm U at each and every instrument, and all the instruments start in unison in a manner well understood.

It is to be understood that in bringing the instruments to the unison point, the vibrating circuit breaker at some one instrument must be allowed to operate continuously, and that therefore its unison device must be thrown out of action.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a printing telegraph the combination of a rotating type-wheel and a ratchet wheel mechanically united, a pawl or ratchet therefor, an electro-magnet having. its armature mechanically connected with said ratchet, a retractor for said armature, a vibrating circuit-breaker connected to and moving with said ratchet, a press pad, an electro-magnet for operating said press pad, and a single main line including in its circuit the first named electro-magnet, the vibrating circuitbreaker, and the press magnet, substantially as described.

2. In a printing-telegraph, the combination of a rotating shaft, a type-wheel fixed thereon, a ratchet and pawl for imparting a step-byst'ep motion to said shaft, an electro-magnet having a spring-retracted armature responding to short impulses of current for controlling the operation of said pawl, a vibrating or oscillating circuit-breaker mechanically united to said pawl and moving therewith, a second electro magnet responding to prolonged impulses of current, and a single main line including in its circuit the vibrating cirunit-breaker and both said electro-magnets, substantially as described.

3. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a rotating motor-driven shaft, a type-wheel carried thereby, a pawl and ratchet escapement allowing said type-wheel to rotate stepby-step, a neutral electromagnet 7 having a spring-retracted armature fixed to said pawl, a vibrating circuit-breaker connected to said of a rotating motor-driven shaft, a type-wheel carried thereby, a ratchet wheel fixed thereon, an oscillating lever engaging with the teeth of said ratchet wheel whereby said wheel is allowed to escape step-by-step, a neutral electro-magnet having a spring-retracted armature responsive to current impulses of short duration, a mechanical connection between said armature and said lever, a device for making and breaking the circuit mechanically connected to said armature, a press pad and its lever for taking animpression from the type-wheel, a second electro-magnet responsive to current impulses of prolonged duration, an armature therefor connected with the press pad lever, and a single main line including in its circuit said circuit breaking points and both electro-m agnets in series, substantially as described.

5. The combination in a printing telegraph, of a rotating motor-driven shaft, a type-wheel carried thereby, a toothed wheel fixed to said shaft the number of teeth being equal to the number of characters on the type-wheel, an oscillating lever having two arms or terminals engaging with the toothed wheel, so arranged that said wheel is allowed to advance a half space upon each movement of said lever, an electro-magnet,a spring retractedarmature therefor connected with said lever, a circuit-breaker connected with said armature, a press pad carried by a pivoted lever, a second electro-magnet, an armature therefor connected with the press pad lever, anda single main line including in its circuitin series the circuit-breaker and both electro-magnets,substantially as described.

IIO

6. In a printing telegraph, the combination electro-magnet, the vibrating circuit-breaker with its cut-out switch and the press-magnet, substantially as described. a v

7. In a printing telegraph,-thecombination of a rotatingmotor-driven shaft, a type-wheel and a-ratchet-wheel carried thereby; a pawl or ratchet engaging with the ratchet-wheel,

an electro-magnet having its armature mechanically connected'with said ratchet, a retractor for said armature, avibrating circuitbreaker connected to and moving with said ratchet, a rotating arm connected with the motor-driven shaft, a series of separate insulated segments in the path of said rotating arm, a series of transmitting keys, electrical connections between the insulated segments and the transmitting keys respectively, an electrical connection between said rotating arm and the main line upon one side of the circuit breaker, and an electrical connection between the main line upon the opposite side of said circuit-breaker and said transmitting keys, a press pad, an electro-magnet for operating said press pad, and a single main line including in its circuit the first named electro-magnet, the vibrating circuit-breaker, the press-magnet and the transmitting keys, all arranged and operating substantially as described.

8. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a rotating motor-driven shaft, a type-wheel and a ratchet-wheel carried thereby, a pawl or ratchet engaging with the ratchet-wheel, an electro-magnet having its armature mechanically connected with said ratchet, a retractor for said armature, a vibrating circuitbreaker connected to and moving with said ratchet, a rotating arm connected with the motor-driven shaft, a series of separate insulated segments in the path of said rotating arm, a series of transmitting keys, electrical connections between the insulated segments and the transmitting keys respectively, an electrical connection between said rotating arm and the main line upon one side of the circuit-breaker and an electrical connection between the main line upon the opposite side of said circuit-breaker and said transmitting keys, a manually operated switch connected to points in the main line upon opposite sides of said circuit-breaker, apress pad,'an electromagnet for operating said press pad, and a single main line including in its circuit the first named electro-magnet, the vibrating circuit-breaker, the press magnet and the transmitting keys, all arranged and operating substantially as described.

9. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a rotating type-wheel and a ratchetwheel mechanically united, a pawl or ratchet therefor, an elcctro-magnet having its armature mechanically connected with said ratchet, a retractor for said armature, a vibrating circuit-breaker connected to and moving with said ratchet, a unison device consisting of a stop mechanically connected with the typewheel, an arm or finger in position to engage with said stop, and means for disengaging said stop and finger, a press pad, an electromagnet for operating said press pad, and a single main line including in its circuit the first named electro-magnet, the vibrating circuit-breaker, and the press magnet, substantially as described.

10. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a rotating type-wheel and a ratchet wheel mechanically connected, a pawl or ratchet therefor, an electro-magnet having its armature connected with said ratchet, a retracting device for said armature, a vibrating circuit-breaker connected to and moving with said ratchet, a unison device consisting of a stop mechanically connected with the typewheel, an arm gradually moving into engagement with said stop, a pivoted lever in position to disengage said arm and stop, an electromagnet for operating said lever, a press pad operated by said electro-lnagnet, and a single main line including in its circuit the first named electro-magnet, the vibrating cir cuit-breaker and the last named electro-magnet in series, substantially as described.

11. The combination of a main line circuit, a rotating type-wheel, a type-wheel magnet, a press magnet, both magnets in said circuit, a vibrating circuit-breaker in said circuit by which it is alternately made and broken, a series of insulated contacts, an arm moving over said contacts successively, a series of keys respectively connected to said insulated contacts, and an electrical connection between said arm and the main line and between said keys and the main line upon respectively opposite sides of the vibrating circuit-breaker, whereby the depression of a transmitting key maintains the circuit unbroken during a to and fro movement of the vibrating circuit-breaker, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a main line circuit, a rotating type-wheel, a ratchet wheel and ratchet therefor, a type-Wheel magnet, a press magnet, both magnets being in the main circuit, a vibrating circuit-breaker mechanically connected to the ratchet lever, located in said circuit, by which it is alternately made and broken, a series of insulated contacts, an arm moving over said contacts successively, a series of keys respectively connected to said insulated contacts, and an electrical connection between said arm and the main line and between said keys and the main line upon respectively opposite sides of the vibrating circuit-breaker, whereby the depression of the transmitting key maintains the circuit unbroken during a to and fro movement of the vibrating circuit-breaker, substantially as described.

13. The combination of a rotating type- Wheel, a type-wheel magnet and a press magnet included in one circuit, a circuit-breaker in said circuit operating to make and break the main circuit and produce a change in the type-wheel from one letter to the next succeeding letter, and a transmitter consisting of a series of keys, each key connected to its individual insulated contact-point, a movable contact connected to the line on one side of the circuit-breaker, and a contact-point for the keys connected with the main line on the opposite side of the circuit-breaker, all arranged and operating so that when the main line is opened by the vibrating circuit-breaker, it will be closed by the operation of a trans- 1o circuit-breaker in the main circuit by which the first-named magnet is operated and an automatic circuit-breaker in a branch circuit connecting points in the main line upon opposite sides of the vibrating circuit-breaker,

arranged and operated substantiallytas de- 15 scribed.

EDWARD V. BAILLARD.

Witnesses:

W. S. PLACE,

E. P. HOPKINS. 

